File storage box

ABSTRACT

Files or file folders are held in an upright position within a partially filled storage box that is constructed of corrugated paper stock or similar sheet material by providing a plurality of stops, or file supports, that extend inwardly from either the box ends or the box sides or both box ends and sides. The file support stops may be formed from a panel that is partially cut out from a box wall leaving one end of the panel attached to the wall through a folded hinge. The other panel end is provided with a tab that locks into a tab slot in the box wall to provide a folded panel face that extends generally perpendicularly to the box wall to thereby engage and support files that are placed within the box.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates generally to a storage box for files. More specifically, this invention relates to means for holding files upright in a partially filled file storage box.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Boxes constructed of cardboard or similar sheet stock are routinely used for packaging business records during moves and for providing a convenient means for records storage either on a temporary or on a permanent basis. Such boxes, commonly called “Banker's Boxes,” are rectangular in cross-section and are dimensioned to hold both letter size and legal size document files. The boxes typically are packaged and shipped in a flat, unassembled state and are folded by the user to form the finished box.

[0005] Files that are placed in a single box for storage or transport to another location are typically sorted, and relate to a single case or other matter. That circumstance will often result in boxes that are only partially filled. The files in such partially filled boxes will tend to slide down and lie flat on the box bottom rather than remaining upright where file labels or other identifying indicia are visible. Also, files that fall over tend to spill their contents as the boxes are transported from one place to another.

[0006] This invention avoids and overcomes the problems encountered when using or transporting partially filled record boxes of the prior art by providing means to maintain files in an upright position within the box.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A record storage box is provided with one or more stops or supports extending inwardly from opposite side box walls. Each stop comprises a pair of panel members that are arranged symmetrically on opposite box walls, either sides or ends, to provide vertical support to files placed within the box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0008] This invention will be described in relation to the following drawing figures in which:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a top oblique view of the storage box of this invention showing the construction and arrangement of the stops;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the storage box of FIG. 1;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a detail view of a stop means panel member that is formed as a partial cut-out from a box wall; and

[0012]FIG. 4 is an oblique view of another embodiment of the stop means panel member that is formed from separate sheet stock.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The invention will be described with particular reference to the drawing figures. Referring now to FIG. 1, the file storage box of this invention is shown generally at 10. The box is rectangular in shape having a bottom member 12, two end members 14 and 15, and two side members 18 and 19. The length of end members 14 and 15 preferably is slightly greater than the width of a letter-size file, and the length of the side members 18 and 19 preferably is slightly greater than the width of a legal-size file. Those dimensions allow fitting letter-size files parallel to the end members, and fitting legal-size files parallel to the side members.

[0014] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 as well as FIG. 1, a first pair of stops or supports, formed by panel members 21 a and 21 b, is positioned along side members 18 and 19 at a location that is about one third of the distance from one end of the side members to another. A second set of stops or supports, 22 a and 22 b, may be positioned at a location that is about midway between the first pair of stops and the distant box end. The stops function best when located in the upper part of the box walls, preferably at a height about two-thirds to three-quarters of the distance from the bottom of the box to the top of the box wall. Each of the panel members 21 a, 21 b, and 22 a, 22 b, may be formed as a partial cut-out from its respective wall member. The wall member may be deeply scored but not entirely cut through around three sides, 23, 24 and 25, of the panel member to form the stop 21 a, 21 b or 22 a, 22 b while the fourth side remains securely attached to the wall member through folded hinge 27. Placing pressure on the panel member along the score lines frees the panel from the wall member. Side 23 of each panel member 21 a, 21 b includes an outwardly extending tab 29 that is arranged to mate with and to lock in tab slot 31. A vertical fold line 33 is positioned at an intermediate point along each panel member so that a face 35 is formed between fold lines 27 and 33, and that face 35 is held generally perpendicular to the box side by diagonal brace portion 37 when tab 29 is locked within slot 31.

[0015] The function of the stops is best illustrated by FIG. 2. As shown in that drawing figure, a group of file folders 41 fill about one-third of a storage box 10. Those file folders are held in an upright position between box end member 14 and face 35 of stops 21 a and 21 b much as if the file folders were positioned between bookends. Were it not for the support provided by the faces 35, the file folders 41 would slide into a generally flat attitude along the bottom of the box. As more file folders are added to box 10 the second set of stops 22 a and 22 b may be put into place to hold those additional file folders upright. The stops are shown in the drawing figures as being positioned along the side members 18 and 19 so as to accommodate letter size files or folders. It is also possible, and in many instances preferred, to also provide similar stops spaced along the box end members 14 and 15 to accommodate legal size files placed within the box parallel to the box sides. As is illustrated in FIG. 2, the walls of box 10 may be formed from a single layer of corrugated stock 18 or a double layer 19, 20 of that same corrugated stock. When the box walls comprise a double layer it is preferred that the stops be formed from the inner layer 19 only.

[0016] The stops 21 and 22 are shown in the drawing figures as being formed from cut-outs or segments of the box walls. It is also possible, and is within the scope of this invention, to provide stops formed from cardboard or other sheet stock separate and apart from the box walls in the manner illustrated in FIG. 4. In that embodiment of the invention, the box sides or the box ends or both box sides and ends are formed with a plurality of tab slots 31. Stop members 45 may be generally rectangular in shape and are provided with one or more tabs 47 on each end 48, 49 of the stop member. A vertical fold line 51 is provided intermediate ends 48 and 49 at a location that will cause face 53 to be held generally perpendicular to the box wall or end member when the tabs 47 are inserted into the tab slots 31.

[0017] The embodiments of this invention that have been described in the specification of this patent application are those that are presently preferred, and are not to be considered limiting. 

I claim:
 1. In a storage box for files that is constructed of corrugated paper board and is assembled by the user, the improvement comprising: means for holding files placed in a partially filled box in a generally upright attitude, said means including at least one pair of stops positioned on opposite box walls and extending inwardly from said walls, each of said stops being constructed from a portion of the box wall as a partial cut-out to form a panel that is hinged at one end from its respective box wall and having a vertical fold line intermediate its ends, said cut-out panel having an outwardly extending tab at the end opposite the hinge, said tab arranged for insertion into a tab slot formed in said box wall at a location whereat the panel segment between said hinge and fold line is caused to form a stop face that is generally perpendicular to said box wall when said tab is positioned within said slot.
 2. The storage box of claim 1 wherein said box is of rectangular shape having side walls and end walls, the width of said box sized to accommodate a letter-size file and the length sized to accommodate a legal-size file.
 3. The storage box of claim 2 wherein said stops are positioned on opposite side walls.
 4. The storage box of claim 2 wherein said stops are positioned on opposite end walls.
 5. The storage box of claim 2 wherein at least two pairs of stops are positioned on opposite box walls.
 6. The storage box of claim 2 wherein at least one pair of stops is provided on said side walls and at least one pair of stops is provided on said end walls.
 7. The storage box of claim 1 wherein said stops are positioned in the upper portion of said box walls.
 8. The storage box of claim 1 wherein the walls of said box comprise two layers of corrugated paper board and wherein said stops are formed from the inner one of said layers.
 9. The storage box of claim 1 wherein said stops are positioned in the upper part of the box walls.
 10. The storage box of claim 9 wherein said stops are positioned at a height that is about two-thirds to three-quarters of the distance from the bottom of the box to the top of the box wall. 